By IANS
New Delhi : The Indian government Thursday partially lifted the ban on export of non-Basmati rice from the country.
“The union cabinet, presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, granted approval to export high-quality non-Basmati rice costing not less than $425 (about Rs.16,700) per tonne in the international market,” said Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi here.
Dasmunsi said: “Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar made a forceful and convincing case for lifting the export ban on superior quality non-Basmati rice, because if we hold back our rice at this stage, Pakistan may capture the market and this will adversely affect our farmers both immediately and in the long run.”
“The government has no immediate plans to lift the ban on export of rice meant for the public distribution system (PDS). That will be reviewed only after the government is convinced that it has enough for meeting its PDS demands and rice requirement for various other government schemes like the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) and the midday meal scheme for school children,” he added.
The government had decided about two weeks ago to ban all export of non-Basmati rice till the end of the paddy procurement season.